The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Kearney Division will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a variety of activities on Saturday, Sept. 16. The division, located in the Health Education Science Complex on the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) campus, draws nursing students from a 100-125-mile radius around Kearney.
The anniversary celebration, which coincides with UNK’s homecoming weekend, includes a UNK homecoming parade from 10 to 11:30 a.m., a noon lunch and program, 2 p.m. tours of the Health Education Science Complex, a UNK football game and other events.
“Nurses are vital members of the health care team in the care, prevention of illness and promotion of health and wellness,” said Cathrin Carithers, D.N.P., assistant dean of the UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division. “Education of future nurse leaders is central to our mission. We are excited to celebrate 40 years of the education of nurses in Kearney and surrounding communities. We look forward to many more years of community partnerships to improve health outcomes.”
The college has had a positive impact on health care in central Nebraska.
The first bachelor’s degree in nursing program west of Lincoln began at Kearney State College with the 1976 hiring of Judy Billings, Ph.D. She worked with the director of health programs at Kearney State College, Ole Kolstad, and David Clark, dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences, to develop a baccalaureate program in nursing.
In the spring of 1977, the Nebraska State Board of Nursing approved the new nursing program. The first two faculty members hired were Carol Janda and Sandra Blankenbaker.
The first class of 16 students graduated in May 1980 and since then, the division has graduated more than 1,670 students. In 1991, Kearney State College became part of the University of Nebraska and the nursing program became part of the Omaha-based UNMC College of Nursing.
The Kearney Division offers traditional and accelerated bachelor’s degrees, the registered nurse to bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, post-master’s certificates, a doctor of nursing practice degree and a doctor of philosophy degree.
The UNMC College of Nursing is the largest nursing school in the state with divisions in Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff and Norfolk, as well as Kearney. The Kearney Division has 21 faculty, five staff, and 160 students enrolled.
Pre-registration for the anniversary celebration is required. For more details and the whole schedule, go to www.unmc.edu/alumni.
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Flickr